Iron Mike

Let's face it, the world of arena rock is starting to die off. Motley Crue is hanging it up soon on this final tour and with it I expect many others from the same time period of the record industry glory days to follow. Kiss, Aerosmith, Scorpions, Rush, Black Sabbath, Ozzy, Rolling Stones, U2 etc. You get the picture. Arena filling rock bands are grandpas now and what's to replace these great live arena filling bands? Nothing! So if you're not getting out and seeing these spectacular over the top concerts I'm afraid within the next 5-10 years they will things of the past cause there's no format for younger bands to develop into stardom with a record industry dying out like these bands.

Motley Crue took a page right out of Kiss' book and added steroids with a stage show of over the top explosions, fire, fire and more fire. Not only did they debut a new stage prop of extended elevators over the crowd this night, but 'The Crüecifly' drum solo was UNREAL! Tommy Lee's drum solo on a slow rotating roller coaster that will NEVER be duplicated by any band ever! The thought of how much money it cost to put together is mind boggling. Watch my video in amazement! Watch full screen and turn it up!

CLICK HERE to see what it looked like from the "Crües Nest" on "Home Sweet Home" filmed by my buddy Jean-Marcus Strole. See me, buddy Neil and Alice Cooper guitarists Nita Strauss and Ryan Roxie standing at 5:50-5:51 in the spotlight. That's were I filmed the video ya see above at front of house.

Everyone was barking about Vince Neil's voice being shot, true but it wasn't as bad as watching David Lee Roth with Van Halen trying to make it through a show and from the sounds of it there might of been some backtracks going on to cover it cause I know those background vocals by the rest of the band were way too clean and processed sounding. A shell of a band from the past covering up the aging parts with theatrics and trickery in the name of entertainment still worth the price of admission. Getting to shoot only 1 song and from the soundboard wasn't the best entertainment for photos so don't expect much. Great setlist: Girls, Girls, Girls - Wild Side - Primal Scream - Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.) - Looks That Kill - Louder Than Hell - Smokin' in the Boys' Room - Mutherfucker of the Year - Anarchy in the U.K. - T.N.T. (Terror 'n Tinseltown) - Dr. Feelgood - In the Beginning - Shout at the Devil - Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away) - O Fortuna - Tommy Lee Drum Solo - Mick Mars Guitar Solo - Live Wire - Saints of Los Angeles - Too Young to Fall in Love - Kickstart My Heart - Encore: Home Sweet Home.

Alice Cooper opened the show and clearly showing no signs of slowing down. Alice still has it vocally and entertainment wise. His band is top notch and really outplayed the Crue in all aspects of talent. Plus he let us shoot 4 songs and from the pit which for you fans is better viewing than what the Crue gave us. Get out and see this tour! Alice Cooper setlist: Hello Hooray - No More Mr. Nice Guy - Under My Wheels - I'm Eighteen - Billion Dollar Babies - Poison - Dirty Diamonds - Welcome to My Nightmare - Feed My Frankenstein - Ballad of Dwight Fry - Killer - I Love the Dead - School's Out

3/18/1980 - Yes look at that date!! Three fourth of my lifetime ago I first saw Rush in the sold-out Seattle Center Coliseum 10 rows up section 228 for the Permanent Waves tour!! 35 years and 4 months later I walked into the same sold-out building tonight, now called Key Arena on their 40th and possibly last big tour. Can't believe that 13yo kid is now 48 years old and was nearly elbows on stage in the photo pit shooting Rush in that same building. We got to shoot the first two songs which was awesome cause they were "The Anarchist" & "The Wreckers" which rang in about 12 minutes. Setlist was an incredible 2.5+ hrs worth.

The only difference between then and now was back then there was so much pot smoking going on in the arena I could barely see the stage from my seats and rowdy it was. Definite first contact high back then. Tonight all those fans are now middle aged plus, more more laid back and there to enjoy the show and witness a band no one thought would last this test of time. Still three of the greatest rock musicians around. Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart still masters of the musical universe when it comes to progressive epic rock music.

With technology now so far advanced from decades ago, Rush's show is still musically dynamic, but extra special with the stage props (loved the popcorn machine), lights and video screens. Visually WOW in many ways. Overall if you're a Rush fan I don't think you left the show in any disappointment. That 2-set setlist has something for everyone, new or old fans. Better go see Rush on this tour, it's big it's a long show and the end is unfortunately coming sooner or later from the greatest Canadian rock band of them all and probably forever with Rush!

Set 1:
The World Is...The World Is
The Anarchist
The Wreckers
Headlong Flight (with 'Drumbastica' mini drum solo)
Far Cry
The Main Monkey Business
How It Is
Animate
Roll the Bones
(with 'Celebrity Rappers' video)
Between the Wheels
Subdivisions Set 2:
No Country for Old Hens
Tom Sawyer
The Camera Eye
The Spirit of Radio
Jacob's Ladder
Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres Part I: Prelude
Cygnus X-1 (Book One: The Voyage Parts 1… more )
Closer to the Heart
Xanadu
2112 Part I: Overture
2112 Part II: The Temples of Syrinx
2112 Part IV: Presentation
2112 Part VII: Grand Finale Encore:
Mel's Rock Pile starring Eugene Levy
Lakeside Park
Anthem
What You're Doing
Working Man

Last time The Aristocrats played Seattle in January 2012 at the The Rendezvous, no one knew, including me! I heard both shows were attended by maybe a few handfuls at most each night. If that was true, there was NO WAY I'd let that happen again for this 7.11.15 show. I pounded Facebook and my musician peeps on this band and who they are. Yes, musicians from other planets here on planet earth! Guys that back the bands/artists like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and my favorite artist ever in Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree fame. You delivered with hundreds & hundreds of music and musician fans turning out to Studio Seven to watch this spectacle!

Guitar wizard Guthrie Govan (Steven Wilson, Asia/GPS), Bass God Bryan Beller (Joe Satriani, Dethklok) and the unfathomable drumming insanity of Marco Minnemann (Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani). Marco was runner up in the Dream Theater job Mike Mangini got. It it all worked out the best for Marco though cause his Steven Wilson gig rocks and gives him the flexibility to run with The Aristocrats!

Their brand of instrumental rock, jazz, funk, twang metal gives me ear visions of ZZ-Top meeting George Benson, Rage Against The Machine and Stanley Clarke on a hill-top fight against Rush, Dream Theater and Megadeth with Frank Zappa as the referee! I know it's confusing, but it's so damn awesome!! Their third studio album "Tres Caballeros" just came out and the band opened the show playing the whole album from start to finish. Fantastic mix of instrumental rock that's played at a masterful point that if you're a musician and think you're higher than the clouds in your skills you'll be crashing down to earth after hearing these guys play and their intertwining riffs of insanity and precision.

Over all The Aristocrats are more than just an instrumental band for musicians, they don't bore you with a bunch of over the top riffs and the usual "look how awesome we are and how fat we can play". They blend great catchy sounds with musicianship hailing from some other galaxy. Check them out, for the remaining U.S. tour dates through 8/25/15: http://the-aristocrats-band.com/shows

With a packed house at Studio Seven what amazed me the most was the crowd was 1/3 girls! Very cool and maybe it had something to do with the opening act the Travis Larson Band? Yes the world renowned bassist Jennifer Young plays in Travis' band! When you say "Chicks that Rock!" her name better be on that list. The female Billy Sheehan? Check out the Travis Larson Band, he's a great guitar player with some GREAT instrumental full throttled rock-fusion jams! www.travislarsonband.com - I'll add a live video here later today from Travis Larson Band too.

Ok I'm gonna admit, the last time I saw Van Halen in the Tacoma Dome 5.6.12. it was, in my eyes, a little bit of a train wreck with David Lee Roth in what I call the "not in performance mind" vibe. Forgetting lyrics and basically just acting out the part it seemed. Not last night! Holy smokes that's the show I was expecting back in 2012.

Lets face it, Diamond Dave doesn't have the vocal pop or leg kicks he once had, but this time around he actually looked like he had something to prove with what he has left in his 60 year old rock in roll tank. Energetic, focused and as always having fun on stage. Little too happy at times but hey it's Diamond Dave! Opening with (surprised me) Light Up the Sky the band ran throw a killer set that included: Runnin' With the Devil - Romeo Delight - Everybody Wants Some - Drop Dead Legs - Feel Your Love Tonight - Somebody Get Me a Doctor - She's the Woman - China Town - I'll Wait - Alex Solo - Little Guitars - Dance the Night Away - Beautiful Girls - Women in Love - Hot for Teacher - In a Simple Rhyme - Dirty Movies - Ice Cream Man - Unchained - Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love - Edward Solo - You Really Got Me - Panama and the encore of (no surprise here their biggest hit) Jump.

Crowd was really great at Amphitheatre Northwest in Ridgefield, WA too. Over 10k+ filling the venue and for many a flashback to their more youthful days growing up on Van Halen as most of us 40+ year olds did. What can you say about Eddie Van Halen that hasn't already been said about his guitar playing? He's still the king! So effortless, so precise and so inspiring to guitar players around the world, the ticket alone for admission to watch Eddie play is worth it! Check out Eddie's guitar solo from YouTube account Ima Starman in the front row!

It was hard to see Alex Van Halen behind the drums from the photo pit and perfect back in my seat. He's still playing loud and undeniably still powerful. His drum solo is an interesting jungle tango of sounds. Not the usual pound away and see how fast you can go style of many drummers in rock.

Eddie's son Wolfgang kept the bottom end roaring and just like his dad pretty damn good player. I know there's the crowd like myself that would die to see Michael Anthony back in the band, but that's history and to tell ya the truth...Van Halen live is watching Eddie Van Halen! Love how he still smiles and has about as much fun as David Lee Roth up there. Overall from what I saw on this second night of the 2015 tour I'd say GO! The show is awesome, setlist killer and loved the stage lighting. Had a warped rig look and from a distance in my seat in section 205 I felt like I was watching a show at the Hollywood Bowl in California. For full show photos please visit here on KISW.com - http://www.kisw.com/Van-Halen-Ridgefield-WA-7-7-15/21725434 and as always we'll also get some posted on KISW & Savoia Photography Live Facebook pages later today!

Check out the season ending Art Zone with Nancy Guppyâ show (video above) and the feature on photographer Ernie Sapiro's "Musician" book & the upcoming August gallery in Seattle. Huge honor to have been asked to participate in this historic piece of Seattle Music documentation!

Here's some non-exhibit extras Ernie let me use of Mike McCready - (me) Iron Mike Savoia - Gene Stout for this blog. Not even knowing the uniqueness or full story behind the project when I had my photo shoot I'm super happy I walked out of the house that day with my Rocket shirt on, perfect dedication to the history of Seattle music print coverage back in the day now immortalized in this project! If Ernie's last name rings a bell in Seattle his father was the world renowned film photographer Scotty Sapiro (bio). His studio in Seattle's Pioneer Square was well known in the 70s. Following in his footsteps Ernie is now on of the best Seattle based portrait and lifestyle editorial photographers! Great personality and talent. Stay up-to-date with this project at: www.facebook.com/erniesapirophotography

A special shout out goes out to Nancy Guppy (Art Zone, Almost Live, King5) as the co-producer of this "Musicians" project as Ernie stated to me "This would have never happened without her" and the Gibson Showroom in Seattle (Jeff Dana & Jenny Marsh) for their time/efforts for all the photos to be done there.

KISW 99.9FM presents Porcupine Tree mastermind Steven Wilson at the Moore Theatre in Seattle this Wednesday June 17th on this his "Hand. Cannot. Erase." solo album tour.
Originally scheduled for the Neptune Theatre, it sold out fast and with the extra demand STG Presents moved it to the Moore Theatre. All Neptune Theatre tickets will be honored at the Moore.
Tickets still available for the show HERE.

Last time Steven Wilson was in town was for his tour opening sold-out Showbox Market show on April 4, 2012 for his "Grace For Drowning" album tour. See show photos HERE. Bummed he never toured here for the "The Raven That Refused To Sing" album in 2013 so looking forward to this show.

This time around it's the last show of the U.S. Tour in Seattle. Promoting the "Hand. Cannot. Erase" (inspired by the case of Joyce Carol Vincent, where a woman living in a large city dies in her apartment and no one misses her for three years, despite her having family and friends) album. A definite Top 5 album release of 2015. Near 66min progressive rock bliss!

The live show to align with the albums subject matter is gonna be a spectacular visual from the few video clips I've seen on this tour. Don't miss my favorite artist of all time and one of the greatest musical geniuses of our time in Steven Wilson. Buy Tickets HERE.

Jolene's announcement was like the same feeling I had back in 1999 when I heard the NFL's Barry Sanders of the Detroit Lions just up and quit the game in his prime with no real reason why. Sanders left the game just 1,457 yards short of being first place on the list for the NFL all-time rushing record at that time. Now we don't have to lay down any statistics as to how Jolene is perceived in the Seattle airwaves, she was the Queen of the night time FM radio. As a teen she dreamed about working at KISW and 11 years ago she conquered that dream. Last Tuesday she shocked Seattle by announcing her retirement from radio and Friday was her last day at KISW. Just like the Barry Sander situation I was in shock. Takes some big balls to quit anything at the top of your game. Jolene felt it was her time to move on in life and with her upcoming wedding I can see a life shift that backs up her decision.

For 8 of her 11 years at KISW I got to hang and photograph her at events. In the beginning (she'll admit) she didn't like her photo taken. Took a good 2 years for her to loosen up then BAM she was rocking the camera as you'll see in my photo gallery (2007-2015) video below:

So on May 29th I put on one of these Jolene wigs hanging around the station and went to work with her covering her last time on-air at KISW.

The response was awesome in support. Phone calls in from Duff McKagan (Loaded/GNR/Walking Papers), Sean Kinney (Alice in Chains), KISW Hall of Famer Cathy Faulkner and current morning radio giant BJ Shea. In studio visits from former KISW DJ Ricker, performances from Windowpane and Witchburn. Famed producer Jack Endino, Musician Paul Passereli stopped by and more. Check out my full photo gallery HERE.

Jolene will be missed. Her support of local music was undeniable at the station and hope someone there continues that tradition. Thought it would be cool to end the blog with a photo of her last second on-air.

Soundgarden fans you gotta check this out! Super stoked to have contributed photos to this awesome project benefiting the Canary Foundation, the first and only foundation in the world solely dedicated to the funding of early cancer-detection solutions. All Net Proceeds Go To Charity! "In the course of making this book our friend Tiffany Patterson-Gross passed away in late 2013. It made this project an even greater labor of love as we also dedicate this book to our friend and fellow Knight. She was a pillar of strength and inspiration to us and everyone she touched. Tiffany fought a battle against cancer with her otherworldly strength while showing grace, humor, and kindness towards others." Jaye and Mike English - Photofantasm Authors

Here's a little page sample of one of my photos in the book and its extra special because my cousin and long time Seattle music critic Gene Stout contributed some of his work for the project too and its right on my page. Our families will be proud. For complete book information check out the press release below and visit http://www.photofantasm.com to order one of only 1000 books made right now. "Iron" Mike Savoia - www.facebook.com/SavoiaPhotographyLive

PHOTOFANTASM SOUNDGARDEN: NUDEDRAGONS TO KING ANIMAL — THE FIRST EVER FAN-BASED COMPILATION PHOTOBOOK — IS NOW AVAILABLE!

The only book ever created by the fans for any high-profile band, Photofantasm Soundgarden is dedicated to rock pioneers Soundgarden. It features commentary and recollections from fellow artists, the music press, and other notable contributors.

SEATTLE, May 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ PhotofantasmSoundgarden: Nudedragons to King Animal highlights the Seattle band’s rebirth via hundreds of pages’ worth of photographs, graphic art, anecdotes, interviews, and reviews. In a truly collaborative effort, fans, artists, musicians, authors, photographers, and other notable personalities all help chronicle Soundgarden's performances across the globe from 2010 to 2013.

To quote Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge author Mark Yarm in his foreword to Photofantasm Soundgarden, the book is “by the fans, for the fans”—the book boasts more than 300 contributors from more than 30 countries on six continents—and captures what promises to be just the beginning of a very long second chapter!

Much like classic vinyl, Photofantasm Soundgarden is a quality, limited-edition collector's item (only 1,000 copies) meant to be savored by the fans (and the band itself) for years to come. The heart of this book is a section devoted to the loving memory of an extraordinary friend and Soundgarden fan who courageously fought cancer. All net proceeds will go to Canary Foundation, the first and only foundation in the world solely dedicated to the funding of early cancer-detection solutions.

Photofantasm totals 592 pages, much of it exclusive content. It includes more than 1,000 photographs, plus concert posters, original artwork, hundreds of stories, interviews, reviews, and more. Printed and bound in the USA, Photofantasm Soundgarden: Nudedragons to King Animal can be purchased exclusively atwww.Photofantasm.com. Also check out the site for a sneak peek at some of the book’s highlights and a list of all the contributors.
“This book is a must-have for Soundgarden fans and an opportunity to give to a great cause!” say authors Jaye and Mike English. “It took passion and several years to collaborate with fans and artists around the world to create Photofantasm and have it remain authentic. We’re happy we made history together and proud to give back. We thank everyone who contributed!”
Soundgarden, which features members Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron, and Ben Shepherd, have released six studio albums, won two Grammy® Awards, and sold millions of records worldwide. They are currently planning another album and working on their own personal projects.

For more information, please contact Spoondog Entertainment Group, LLC. Like us on Facebook and follow @SpoondogENT on Twitter and Instagram.

Wednesday night in Seattle at the Paramount Theatre the Stone Temple Pilots kicked off their U.S. tour. I have a long love of this band with some interesting moments too. Here's a photo back 23 years ago when KISW 99.9FM had a free sponsored show at the OK Hotel with STP. November 20, 1992 shot on my pocket Kodak 35mm film camera.

I did a positive review of their debut album back in '92 (post publications were slamming them as a Seattle grunge sound rip-off) in my local Seattle fanzine B.T.R. Music Magazine. The band and label appreciated my words (I knew they'd be huge) and invited me to their "Plush" video shoot that actually happened here in Seattle near Greenlake at the Little Red Hen. Enough of the past lets get into the present! Scott Weiland is out and Linkin Park's Chester Bennington is in. He's a perfect fit for the band!! Weiland dug his own grave with this band and I'm glad the band is not staying hostage to his unpredictability issues and moving on with Chester. Was excited to see how this would work tonight as I've never seen the band fronted by someone else than Weiland. Besides some of the funny first show of the tour mistakes he was kick ass!! Here's some fan footage off YouTube from Michael Rovski of "Dead & Bloated" from this show.

Day started off being asked to shoot the bands soundcheck party with their VIP's. That was a blast!! Everyone was invited onstage as the band playfully jammed soundcheck and directly to those fans! It was something I've NEVER seen from a band and what an experience it was for those people and even me shooting. I made sure to get a full group shot of the band and these fans at the end of soundcheck.

Seattle savant musician Richard Peterson who actually played on a hidden track "My Second Album" on the 1994 "Purple" album was invited out at the end of the show and gave a few words to the crowd. That was awesome!! See STP Richard post/photo HERE.

Overall as a life long STP fan I'm glad to see the band happier than ever and moving on with a singer fully capable of continuing this bands legacy as one of the greatest radio rock bands of our time. Go see this band live!! The songs speak for themselves including the new ones with Chester!

Go see my full set of Soundcheck and Concert Photos by CLICKING HERE. Also posted on KISW.com's photo gallery HERE.

The screening of the full length feature film "There is No Such Thing As the Record Label Fairy" The Story of Windowpane on a big screen. See trailer in HD below all this text. There will be chairs provided for the duration of the film.

All Ages, full bar with ID (and because this is a NON-ticketed event, alcohol will be allowed anywhere in the venue for persons of legal age), Doors at 7pm

***FREE ADMISSION*** (Courtesy of Windowpane & Studio Seven) *First come, first served*
(Place holds 800 peeps, all should be able to get in, but we do recommend that you get there early and know that chairs for the screening of the film are limited to 250)
STUDIO SEVEN 110 S. Horton ST Seattle, WA 98134